The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 FORMULATING A COURSE OF ACTION TO PREVENT THE MISUSE OF THE POSITIONS OF PROFESSORS AND DOCTORS

¶ 02 [2.42 p.m.]

¶ 03 Madam Presiding Member, I move:

¶ 04 “That this Parliament resolves that since many people in our society currently misuse the designations and titles such as ‘Professor’ and ‘Doctor’, the Government should take necessary steps to prepare a programme through the University Grants Commission to prevent such a situation.”

¶ 05 Today, society accords great value to the titles “Professor” and “Doctor.” In 2020, the “Viyathmaga” platform brought candidates forward who topped or placed second in districts, showing public trust in such titles. Likewise, in 2024 they were used to sway public opinion. This evidences the value and trust society places in these designations.

¶ 06 However, after we elected a Speaker identified as a “Doctor,” he and this Parliament became embroiled in controversy, and to date his degree certificate cannot be found. Similar allegations arose in the judiciary, even involving the CID, though we lack final information. While some institutions conferred titles in good faith, many obtain them bypassing proper standards—through influence, money, state power or personal ties—creating a national problem and casting doubt over these titles. As a result, genuine holders feel ashamed to use them.

¶ 07 We even saw criminals and thugs styled as “Doctors.” We have no issue with those who earn titles academically or with honorary titles awarded under clear frameworks, but are those frameworks being properly followed? We must prevent conferrals via undue influence. The root is “trust”—when people on stage say “our camp has the doctors and professors,” people believe. This is often deception—be it fanciful technologies or implausible claims. Such misuse drags this esteemed institution and deceives voters. Many used “Doctor” or “Engineer” on nomination papers or campaign materials but do not use them here—some are not even qualified.

¶ 08 We therefore propose that the UGC and others review and strengthen processes so that only those who genuinely meet standards receive such titles. Otherwise, the titles and the conferring institutions will be ridiculed. Let us design a robust mechanism to safeguard them. Thank you.